Today is Will’s last day of preschool. Ever. I can hardly believe it. You always hear people say that children grow up so quickly, but only in experiencing it can you appreciate just how true that is. It seems like just yesterday that I was uncomfortably pregnant with him and now he’s almost 5. Time really does fly.

I’ve been thinking the same thing about Paige recently … she’s gone from round-faced baby to thinking, plotting, planning little girl in no time. The other day, I was working on a recipe (this recipe, in fact), when Paige pulled up her trusty pink stool and started asking questions. I was photographing some cubed chicken at the time. She wanted to know what it was, why I was taking pictures and what I was going to do with it.

She followed me through the kitchen as I added all the ingredients to a mixing bowl and then stirred it all together. I explained every step of the process as I went, with her listening and watching intently and with great curiosity. She is at a point where she really wants to understand everything she sees.

These children … they are amazing.

In regards to this sandwich … it’s a wonderful, easy fast lunch that involves no heating of the kitchen (SCORE!). Perfect for hot days … or any day … the combination of briny olives, crunchy bits of cucumber, moist chicken chunks, creamy, salty feta and an easy dressing is fabulous on pita bread. For the chicken, I used leftover grilled chicken, but you could easily substitute rotisserie chicken or even those premade chicken strips (Trader Joe’s sells them in the freezer section).

It’s definitely a crowd pleaser.

Greek Chicken Salad Sandwiches
serves 4

1/2 cup diced cucumber
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1 cup diced, cooked chicken
1/4 cup chopped kalamata olives
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1 tbsp white wine vinegar
2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp dried basil
sea salt and ground black pepper
4 small (about 4″ round) pita breads or two regular size ones

Combine the cucumber and the kosher salt in a mesh sieve over a bowl or the sink and let sit for about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, combine the chicken, kalamata olives and feta cheese in a medium bowl. Set to the side.

In a small bowl, whisk together the white wine vinegar, olive oil and dried basil. Set aside.

Press gently on the cucumbers to remove any excess water and gently shake the sieve. Then, pour into the bowl with the chicken mixture. Stir to combine. Pour the dressing (the white wine mixture) over and stir well. Let sit for a minute or two before using.

Cut the pita bread into two half-moons. Divide the chicken salad evenly among the halves.

If using small pita breads, two halves is a serving. If using regular size ones, one-half is the serving.